Trump-linked Investment Firm Invests $300 Million in Polymarket
BITmarkets Team
Sep 03, 2026
Donald Trump Jr. is a partner at 1789 Capital. The new investment would bring the firm’s total backing of Polymarket to roughly $500 million, making it one of the platform’s largest investors.
ICE remains Polymarket’s largest disclosed investor
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) remains the largest publicly disclosed investor in Polymarket. In a July 30 regulatory filing, ICE said it had invested a combined $1.6 billion in Polymarket preferred shares. As of June 30, those holdings had a carrying value of approximately $2 billion.
The investment represented around 22% of Polymarket’s outstanding shares, or about 14% on a fully diluted basis. Polymarket reportedly began discussions in April to raise $400 million at a potential valuation of $15 billion. That figure was below the roughly $22 billion valuation of its main rival, Kalshi.
Prediction markets face growing regulatory pressure
The reported fundraising comes as prediction market platforms face increasing regulatory scrutiny in the United States and other jurisdictions. On Aug. 14, JPMorgan Chase reportedly ended its banking relationship with Polymarket because of regulatory concerns. However, the bank was said to remain interested in potentially serving as an underwriter if Polymarket eventually pursues an initial public offering.
More than a dozen US states have also taken legal action against Polymarket, Kalshi or both over contracts linked to sporting events. Regulators in several countries have separately blocked or restricted access to Polymarket, highlighting the wider legal uncertainty surrounding blockchain-based prediction markets.
Sources:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1571949/000157194926000011/ice-20260630.htm
https://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-jr-linked-fund-invest-300m-polymarket-1b-round
